Celebrating 140 Years
Duffy Crane & Hauling 140th Anniversary Celebration
From horses and wagons in 1886 to one of Colorado’s most respected crane, rigging, and heavy haul companies, Duffy’s story has always been about grit, capability, and moving Colorado forward.
A few milestones from the road to 140 years.
Duffy begins with horses and wagons in Denver.
Duffy Storage and Moving Company takes shape in downtown Denver.
Duffy helps place the Kit Carson monument in Denver.
Five more cranes are added to the fleet during major growth.
Mountain States Industrial Contractors adds millwright services.
Gary’s Crane expands service into Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
Formal invitation to follow.
The Road to 140
A path through Duffy history.
What began with horses and wagons supporting a growing Denver evolved into one of the region’s most respected crane, rigging, and heavy haul companies.
The Beginning
Horses, wagons, and a growing Denver.
Thomas Patrick Duffy began a moving company using horses and wagons, laying the foundation for a 140-year legacy in Colorado.
Early Expansion
Moving vans, storage, and specialized hauling.
By the 1890s, Duffy appeared in Denver city directories as a furniture van company and later Duffy’s Van & Storage, offering movers, piano moving, safe moving, and storage.
A Company Takes Shape
Duffy Storage and Moving Company.
The company expanded under the Duffy Storage and Moving Company name, operating from downtown Denver with a growing staff and warehouse presence.
Early Heavy Work
Landmark rigging in the city.
After 1901, Duffy Storage and Moving Co. installed the large bell at Denver City Hall using a rope and pulley system.
City Legacy
Placing the Kit Carson monument.
Duffy was contracted by the City of Denver to place the Equestrian Statue of Kit Carson for the Great MacMonies Pioneer Monument.
A New Era
From draft power to motor trucks.
In the late 1910s and early 1920s, Duffy acquired its first fleet of automobiles, and by 1923 the company was listed under motor truck transportation.
Heavy Moving Reputation
Trusted across Denver for major moves.
Duffy handled large city moves, warehouse work, house moving, heavy hauling, and relocation projects during a period of urban growth and redevelopment.
Colorado Tough
Helping after the South Platte Flood.
Duffy deployed cranes to help with cleanup efforts following the South Platte Flood, one of Denver’s most severe natural disasters.
Fleet Growth
A bigger crane presence in the Rockies.
On February 1, 1980, Duffy added five more cranes to its fleet and was considered one of the largest custom crane companies in the Rocky Mountain Region.
The Name You Know
Duffy Crane & Hauling.
The company name changed from Duffy Heavy Moving Company to Duffy Crane & Hauling, marking a more modern heavy-lift identity.
Modern Capability
Transformers, art, and precision lifting.
Duffy transported large electrical transformers across Colorado and later helped assemble Mark di Suvero’s steel sculpture “Lao Tzu” at the Denver Art Museum.
A New Chapter
Ownership transitions after four generations.
After four generations of Duffy family ownership, the company entered a new era under Jeffrey Cummings.
Growth Across Services
Millwright services and southern expansion.
The acquisition of Mountain States Industrial Contractors added millwright services in 2012, and Gary’s Crane extended service into Colorado Springs and Pueblo in 2017.
140 Years
Built on history. Focused on what’s next.
Duffy Crane & Hauling’s 140th anniversary stands as a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and forward thinking.
Still Raising Colorado
140 years behind us. Still building what’s next.
We’re proud of the history — but even more focused on the future.